Artists help bring colour to Port Kembla revival

President of Red Point Artists, Dulcie Dal Molin, says Port Kembla has been given a new lease on life after the February demolition of the 198-metre tall chimney that once towered over the suburb.

Red Point member Pamela Vincent at the Port Kembla arts precinct, which is being relaunched this weekend. Picture: GREG TOTMAN

"The stack coming down was a new life for Port Kembla."

President of Red Point Artists, Dulcie Dal Molin, says the port town has been given a new lease on life after the February demolition of the 198-metre tall chimney that once towered over the suburb.

"The stack, the symbol of industry, is no longer just standing there. Without the stack, Wentworth Street and Port Kembla is coming to its own," Ms Dal Molin said.

"We've always been a very supportive community and looked after each other, and that feeling is coming back."

The Red Point Arts precinct sits near the top of Wentworth Street, with a collection of work and exhibition spaces. Ms Dal Molin points to the revitalisation of the main street with new cafes and stores opening, an influx of new artists, and the successes of the Port Kembla Community Project as evidence of the area's post-stack renewal.

"We all support each other in our ventures. People are bringing life back in to the suburb," she said.

Ms Dal Molin and the Red Point artists will continue Port Kembla's revival by relaunching their gallery space this weekend with a huge exhibition. It will be the association's first members exhibition in over a year, with dozens of artists to show off paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculpture, mosaics and jewellery.

"The feeling on Wentworth Street now is extremely positive. There's great enthusiasm," Ms Dal Molin said.

"Our gallery is going back to be a full-time gallery space. We had been using it as a workshop, but now it will be for exhibitions and for hire."

The exhibition will launch on Saturday at 1pm, and continue until July 12 when Red Point hold their monthly Art On The Grass pop-up series.

"There is a great neighbourhood feel now. The street is really getting its act together," Ms Dal Molin said.